Max sternberg



Patented Sept. 3,1895.

(No Model.)

M STERNBERG RAILWAY VELOOIPEDE. No. 545,746.

UNITED STAT Es PATENT OFFICE.

MAX STERNBERG, OF CREFELD, GERMANY.

RAILWAY-VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters I at'ent No. 545,746, dated September 3, 1895.

Application filed May 27,1895- Serial in. 550,341. (No model.)

' hereinafter described and claimed.

The main object of my invention is to provide a railway-velocipede which can be quickly made to occupy but a very small or narrow space, in order that it may be taken out of the way instantly and in situations where the space is very limited-as between twp tracks, in' tunnels and narrow cuts, on bridges and trestlesand by this capability adapt the machine for operation and use at times when-itwould otherwise be dangerous or unadvisable to proceed upon the road with a machine.

Another object of my invention is to determine any variation in he gage of the tracks.

Referring to'the accompanying drawings fora more complete explanation of my invent1on, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my veloclpede ready for use. Fig. 2 is a front view showing it in a vertical position out of the way. In this view the rear wheel is purposely omitted to avoid confusion. Fig. 3 is a detail of the gage alarm.

The main portion or what may be termed the bicycle part of the velocipede consists of a suitable frame designated generally by A, which unites a rear wheel or driver B with a front wheel 0, the rear wheel being driven by means of the usual endless chain D, operating between sprocket-wheels in the usual manner. 7

E-is the outer or balancing wheel of the machine, adapted to travelupon the other rail. h'is' jwheel is connected with the remaining portion of the velocipede in 'sucha manner that it may be turned from a horizontal or working position to a vertical position. The

means for thus mounting the wheel consists of the shaft-0r axle F, upon one end of which the wheel is mounted, and which has its other end extending over toward, but'entirely free of, the remaining or main portion of the veloeipede. In this instance it extends over toward and lies very near to the hub of the wheel 0. Rising from this axle is a curved or segment rack G, which passes in engagement with a pinion II, seated in the head of the main portion of the machine and adapted to be rotated by means of a suitable crank-handle h. The engagement of the rack and pinion is maintained by means of asuitable guide in the head, thr0ugh which the rack passes.

In order to further brace and support the axle or shaft B, there is a brace-arm I extending rearwardly from it and pivoted to a downwardly-extending hanger J from the rear of the main frame A. N0w,-it will be seen that when in a horizontal or working position the outer wheel is held rigidly and firmly; but when it becomes necessary to so fold the machine as to occupy but a small space the rider, by turning the crank-handle, causes the pinion to operate the rack and thereby to turnthe shaft oraxle to a vertical position with thewheel standing up beside the machine. In" this condition the machine is very narrow and can occupy a limited space.

The wheels may be covered with rubber, so that they are noiseless and an approaching train can be heard. By having the outer wheels adjustable curves in track may be safely passed, as the wheel can be adjusted to the different heights of the rails.

In order to give notice of the variation in the gage of the track, the wheel E is mounted on the axle F in such a manner that it will slide in and out to conform to the gage, and

by this movement it is made to sound an alarm. I have illustrated this in Fig. 3, where,

it will be seen, the wheel E has a spindle e, p

which telescopes in the tubular outer end of axle F and is-controlled by a spring f therein. A button e, risingfrom spindle e and playing in a slot in axle F, is adapted to make electrical connection between two sets of electrodes e? in either direction, and said electrodes may be supposed to connect elec: trically with abell placedin any suitable position, such as I have indicated at K in Fig. 1.

On'the axle F is a casing or housing L, having abattery M. 1 The wires e extend from the electrodes e and' include the bell K and battery M in the circuit. These electrodes are in pairs, one pairbeingf adapted to be brought into contact by the button e' when the wheel moves outwardly under the eflect of a wider gage, and the other pair is adapted to be brought into contact when. the button 6' 10 and slidably mounted in the main frame of the machine, and means for engaging said bar to elfect' the change of position of the wheel. I n v 2. In a railway velocipede and in combina tion with the main or bicycle portion thereof, an outer or balancing wheel, and a connection comprising a curved rack and engaging pinion between said wheel and the main portion enabling the. wheel to be swung from a horizontal to a vertical .position to be out of the -way and permit the machine to occupy a limited space.

3. In a railway velocipede, the combination of a main wheeled frame, the outer or balancing'wheel, the axle or shaft of said wheel freeat its inner end, the curved or segment rack of said axle or shaft, and the pinion on the main frame engaging and operating said rack, whereby the outer or balancing wheel may be thrown to a vertical position outof the way, to permit the machine to occupy a limited space.

4. In a railwayvelocipede, the combination of .a main wheeled frame, theouter or balancing wheel, the axle or shaft of said wheel free at its inner end, the curved or segment rack. of said axle, the pinion on the main frame engaging and operating said rack whereby the outer or balancing wheel may be thrown to a vertical position'out of theway to permit the machine to occupy a limited space, and *the hinged brace of the axle-or shaft connectedwith the rear ofthe frame of the machine.

- 5. In a railway velocipede, the combination, with the main wheeled frame, of an axle or shaft jointed thereto so that it may be moved from an approximately vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa, said axleor shaft having a tubular outer end, and a balancing wheel having a spindle slidably mounted in the outer end of the shaft whereby it automatically conforms to the changes of gage, and an alarm mechanism actuated by said wheel-in its sliding movement.

6. Ina railway velocipede, the combination with a wheeled frame, of" an axle extending across the road-bed, and having a tubular outer end, a balancing wheel having a spindle telescoping in said tubular outer end, aspring to control the sliding movement of the wheel,

a belland-eleetrodes-in circuit therewith, and

a means on the wheel spindle for operating the electrodes;

In witness whereof I nave hereunto set my hand.

MAX STERNBERG, 1

Witnesses:

RICHARD THOMAS, FERDINAND STE UEMANN. 1 

